Safe Kids West Michigan (SKWM), a Trinity Health Muskegon program, is dedicated to reducing preventable childhood injuries and deaths. In 2020, Trinity Health Emergency Departments in Muskegon and Shelby, Michigan, treated 391 children who were injured in car (213), bike (124) and burn or scald (54) accidents. SKWM, led by Holly Alway, Injury Prevention Coordinator, works in partnership with local fire and police departments, schools, community organizations, parents, and caregivers to serve families in Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana and Northern Ottawa counties.
In 2020, when 1,973 kids were injured, SKWM gave out (at no cost) 169 car seats, 19 booster seats, 240 bike helmets and 50 smoke alarms to those in need, likely saving countless additional injuries. The most important benefit of proper safety devices and the education SKWM provides is obvious — keeping kids alive.
“Plainly speaking, it is better for all if we can prevent, rather than treat injuries,” said Holly. “Safe Kids wouldn’t be possible without philanthropic support from our community.”
There is a second benefit to keeping kids safe — the cost savings. Every dollar in program costs is compared to the estimated value of the number of prevented injuries and lives saved. For the 2020 distribution (car seats, boosters, helmets, and smoke alarms) the benefit to our community in terms of the cost of prevented injuries was a remarkable $1,488,100!
While Trinity Health Muskegon covers the administrative costs of SKWM, grants and donations are needed to directly fund SKWM and the safety devices distributed throughout our communities.
“Injury prevention is at the core of our Trinity Health mission to be a healing presence in our community,” said Holly.
"It is my role to help people understand the risks in their environment and equip them with knowledge and the safety devices to reduce that risk.” The injury prevention program at Trinity Health provides direct services to thousands of people each year. Together, with our community partners and support from our donors, we are making a difference.
To make a gift online to Safe Kids West Michigan, click here. To learn more about Safe Kids West Michigan, click here. To learn more about the Office of Philanthropy – Muskegon & the Lakeshore, click here.
In 2020, when 1,973 kids were injured, SKWM gave out (at no cost) 169 car seats, 19 booster seats, 240 bike helmets and 50 smoke alarms to those in need, likely saving countless additional injuries. The most important benefit of proper safety devices and the education SKWM provides is obvious — keeping kids alive.
“Plainly speaking, it is better for all if we can prevent, rather than treat injuries,” said Holly. “Safe Kids wouldn’t be possible without philanthropic support from our community.”
There is a second benefit to keeping kids safe — the cost savings. Every dollar in program costs is compared to the estimated value of the number of prevented injuries and lives saved. For the 2020 distribution (car seats, boosters, helmets, and smoke alarms) the benefit to our community in terms of the cost of prevented injuries was a remarkable $1,488,100!
While Trinity Health Muskegon covers the administrative costs of SKWM, grants and donations are needed to directly fund SKWM and the safety devices distributed throughout our communities.
“Injury prevention is at the core of our Trinity Health mission to be a healing presence in our community,” said Holly.
"It is my role to help people understand the risks in their environment and equip them with knowledge and the safety devices to reduce that risk.” The injury prevention program at Trinity Health provides direct services to thousands of people each year. Together, with our community partners and support from our donors, we are making a difference.
To make a gift online to Safe Kids West Michigan, click here. To learn more about Safe Kids West Michigan, click here. To learn more about the Office of Philanthropy – Muskegon & the Lakeshore, click here.